The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences voted Tuesday night to present Oprah Winfrey with its Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for her charity work. James Earl Jones and makeup artist Dick Smith will also receive honorary Oscars at the private ceremony.
Not everyone is thrilled with the selection of Winfrey to receive the Oscar, though. Los Angeles Times columnist Patrick Goldstein argues that Winfrey hasn't done enough to deserve it, calls the decision "a boneheaded move" and goes on to suggest that race played a role in the academy's decision to honor her: "It is a way of guaranteeing that some people of color will be taking home Academy Awards, even if the honors aren't actually presented on Oscar night," he wrote.
While there's no question that African-American representation at the actual Oscars tends to be underwhelming, to say the least, it's hard to believe that has anything to do with this selection. We have to agree with Film Academy President Tom Sherak, who says the Hersholt Award recognizes an individual who "exemplifies giving back to the community, the world, society in an extraordinary way," and has come to Winfrey's defense, calling her "one of the most philanthropic performers in the world."
Read more at BlackAmericaWeb.
In other news: Obama's Birthday: 50 Years, 5 Parties.